According to the NHS Litigation Authority, cerebral palsy claims accounted for more than 10% of birth injury claims made against the NHS between 2000 and 2010. In total, these 542 claims cost the NHS £1.3 billion – 40% of the total amount paid out for maternity claims during this period. So what exactly is cerebral palsy and why are its effects so devastating that such large claim amounts are paid out?
About cerebral palsy
The term ‘cerebral palsy’ refers to a group of conditions that affect the brain before or during birth, and which cause problems with coordination and movement. Symptoms include poor motor control, muscle spasms, sensory impairment, speech/language problems, epilepsy and learning difficulties. Cerebral palsy affects about two in every 1,000 children born in the UK, with wide differences in the levels of impairment and disability.
What causes cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy is caused by abnormal brain development or brain damage. Sometimes, this is caused by unavoidable complications before birth, or by premature birth. However, a major cause of cerebral palsy is birth injuries caused by medical negligence – and these cases are entirely avoidable. It’s believed that oxygen deprivation during birth leads to 5-10% of cerebral palsy cases.
Why cerebral palsy compensation claims are important
Any birth injury is highly distressing to the baby, its parents and the wider family. But where mistakes made by medical staff have resulted in a permanent disability, the consequences will last a lifetime. Both parents and baby deserve to receive compensation for the damage that’s been done.
Not only that, but the child will probably need extra care, support and treatment for the rest of his or her life. A compensation payment will help the parents fund this extra care and give their child the best possible quality of life.
How Injury Lawyers 4u can help
Injury Lawyers 4u is a national network of personal injury solicitors. We’ve handled hundreds of successful claims for cerebral palsy compensation and other birth injuries. We can help with your claim if your child is aged under 18, and you can show their cerebral palsy was caused by medical negligence. We can also help adults with cerebral palsy pursue their own claims, if they’re aged under 21.
Call us today on 0333 400 4445. We’re here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to give you free, expert advice on your claim. And if you want to proceed, there’s nothing to lose – we offer a genuine ‘no win, no fee’ guarantee, so there’s no risk for you to make a claim.